Moving assembly line to speed up locomotive production

GE Transportation has commissioned a moving assembly line for locomotives at its Contagem plant in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, which according to the manufacturer will reduce lead times by around 20%.

Unlike traditional static production lines, the mixed-model moving line will enable employees to assemble two different locomotive types (AC44i and ES43BBi) on the same line as the units move forward at 1.15-2.0m/h.

GE Transportation says this arrangement will reduce inventory by $US 1.75m and free up 1256m2 of floor space at Contagem.

Scale models were used to test the moving production line concept and more than 100 simulations were conducted to understand all factors that could affect the process.

Sensors have been installed along the line to show progression through all manufacturing stages. This means delays, problems and other data can be viewed in real time using software developed to manage the production line.